[RATE MY TEAM] Japan Sand Variant

[MegaGallade475]

I have been wanting to try out Mega Metagross for a while, so this is the team I built around it. It has many flaws, though, so I encourage you to leave suggestions for what I should change. I brought it to Lancaster Regionals in October, and I got 40th place. I would like an Intimidate counter, please.

Metagross @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- Zen Headbutt
- Protect
- Substitute

This is a very basic Metagross set, I know. It works very well regardless. It outspeeds everything that isn't scarfed or otherwise extremely fast. I have Iron Head instead of Meteor Mash because it has a 30% flinch chance, higher accuracy, and gets most of the same KOs. I run Zen Headbutt for a powerful stab, and Ice Punch to set up when not being attacked. Protect needs no explanation.

Damage Calculations:
252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Sylveon: 204-240 (100.9 - 118.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Iron Head vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 99-117 (54.6 - 64.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Zen Headbutt vs. 64 HP / 80 Def Conkeldurr: 188-224 (100 - 119.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Volcarona @ Lum Berry
Ability: Flame Body
Level: 50
EVs: 116 HP / 52 Def / 124 SpA / 100 SpD / 116 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fiery Dance
- Giga Drain
- Tailwind
- Rage Powder

Volcarona is another Pokemon I've been wanting to try in VGC. It handles Mega Kangaskhan very well with the Rage Powder/Flame Body combination, giving it a 51% chance of being burned, thanks to Parental Bond. Tailwind gives my team a 50% speed boost, and Giga Drain provides coverage against bulky water types, like Gastrodon or Mega Swampert. Fiery Dance lets it do a decent amount of damage while also having a 50% chance of raising its special attack. Lum Berry allows it to absorb Spores and Thunder Waves.

Damage Calculations:
+1 124+ SpA Volcarona Fiery Dance vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Aegislash-Shield: 152-180 (91 - 107.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
+1 124+ SpA Volcarona Giga Drain vs. 236 HP / 12 SpD Milotic: 110-130 (55 - 65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 116 HP / 100 SpD Volcarona: 73-87 (41.7 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sylveon Psyshock vs. 116 HP / 52 Def Volcarona: 77-91 (44 - 52%) -- 11.3% chance to 2HKO

Sylveon @ Life Orb
Ability: Pixilate
Level: 50
EVs: 108 HP / 148 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Psyshock
- Shadow Ball
- Protect

I have replaced Tyranitar with Sylveon, thank you Marcusube for the suggestion. It heavily counters Dark types and hits Ghost types hard with Shadow Ball. Also Pixilate Hyper Voice has the ability to wreck almost anything that doesn't resist Fairy. Since I chose Life Orb over Choice Specs I can have Protect, and as my last move I chose Psyshock so Sylveon can hit Poison types.

Damage Calculations:
252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 92 HP / 148 Def Sylveon: 162-190 (88 - 103.2%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Sludge Bomb vs. 92 HP / 16 SpD Sylveon: 159-190 (87.3 - 104.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sylveon Psyshock vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Gengar: 177-208 (131.1 - 154%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Volcarona Heat Wave vs. 92 HP / 16 SpD Sylveon: 73-87 (40.1 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 96 HP / 80 SpD Conkeldurr: 322-382 (167.7 - 198.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 140 Atk / 116 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Double-Edge
- Draco Meteor
- Earthquake
- Protect

I thought Salamence was a good choice for the fourth slot, because it resists water (the teams main weakness) and fighting, as well as has Intimidate before Mega Evolving, making it good to pair with Tyranitar. I choose to run max speed, because it outspeeds everything without some form of speed boost. I decided to run a mixed set to have a very powerful STAB Dragon move in Draco Meteor and STAB Flying with Double-Edge. I have Earthquake to counter Steel, which resists almost everything. This is my main Heatran counter.

Damage Calculations:
140 Atk Aerilate Mega Salamence Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 184+ Def Amoonguss: 260-308 (117.6 - 139.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
116 SpA Mega Salamence Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 40 SpD Hydreigon: 200-236 (100.5 - 118.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
116 SpA Mega Salamence Fire Blast vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Bisharp: 144-170 (100 - 118%) -- guaranteed OHKO
140 Atk Aerilate Mega Salamence Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ludicolo: 240-284 (128.3 - 151.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
140 Atk Aerilate Mega Salamence Double-Edge vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Weedle: 8010-9426 (66750 - 78550%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Thundurus @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 212 HP / 164 Def / 52 SpA / 80 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
- Thunder Wave
- Taunt

I replaced Nidoqueen with Thundurus, thank you for the suggestions. It counters bulky waters better, and provides some much needed speed control. Taunt prevents status moves being used, so bye bye Perish Trap.

Damage Calculations:
252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 212 HP / 164 Def Thundurus: 153-180 (84.5 - 99.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 212 HP / 80 SpD Thundurus: 160-189 (88.3 - 104.4%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Rock Slide vs. 212 HP / 164 Def Thundurus: 82-98 (45.3 - 54.1%) -- 44.1% chance to 2HKO
52+ SpA Thundurus Grass Knot (120 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Terrakion: 138-164 (82.6 - 98.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Terrakion Rock Slide vs. 212 HP / 164 Def Thundurus: 151-179 (83.4 - 98.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Conkeldurr @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
Level: 50
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Def / 80 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Mach Punch
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch

I love Life Orb Conkeldurr. It can KO almost anything in 1 or 2 hits (Exception: Mega Sableye). With Guts, burn actually helps it. Brave 0 IVs lets it underspeed Aegislash, so it can land a Knock Off in Blade Forme. Max Attack just makes it monstrous, and its other EVs let it survive stuff from very strong Pokemon.

Damage Calculations:
252+ Atk Life Orb Guts Conkeldurr Mach Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 172-203 (102.3 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO (burned)
252+ Atk Life Orb Conkeldurr Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 80 Def Cresselia: 135-161 (59.4 - 70.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Conkeldurr Mach Punch vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Bisharp: 172-203 (100 - 118%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Conkeldurr Drain Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 198-234 (109.3 - 129.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
-1 252+ Atk Life Orb Conkeldurr Ice Punch vs. 184 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 192-229 (102.6 - 122.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Conkeldurr Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gengar: 166-198 (122.9 - 146.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO (no item!)

Please leave suggestions as to what I should change to the team. I tend to lead with Thundurus, Salamence, and Conkeldurr much more than the other Pokemon. Please don't change them, or at least keep 2. Then I mostly try to overpower my opponent, and predict whatever they're going to do. I make it so my opponent doesn't get off too many attacks, and end up KOing all of their Pokemon.